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thoughtful
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13 years ago @ KATU - Portland, OR - 14-year-old Phoenix bo... · 0 replies · +76 points
13 years ago @ KATU - Portland, OR - Boat with Japanese wri... · 0 replies · +2 points
"Invasive species" have had a major impact on the Pacific Northewst. Look at the impact of homo sapiens - the experts say they came from Asia - hopping across the Aleutian islands. They call those native americans. The homo sapiens of europe landing on the east coast. (Thanks Columbus) And let's not forget the rise from the south - the acient Mayas; or the decendants of Cortez.
13 years ago @ KATU - Portland, OR - Portland considering h... · 1 reply · +5 points
TAX FORM 1040 (SIMPLIFIED)
HOW MUCH DID YOU MAKE LAST YEAR? _________
SEND IT IN. . . . . .
I hate to say it, but . . . . .
13 years ago @ KATU - Portland, OR - Portland considering h... · 1 reply · +2 points
Isn't that included in the definition of a 'hotel' within driving distance of where ever you are -an overnight stay?
Would you (driving from California to BC) continue on to Seattle because of a nice tax ad? If it's not a 'destination', or a way stop to a 'destination', then what ??
They just don't 'get it', do they. I just don't have the money to flit away on a whim (sweet tax ad - I am going somewhere to go somewhere).
13 years ago @ KATU - Portland, OR - Fed reports how much r... · 1 reply · +2 points
For "us" to grow our economy, "GNP", and climb out of this hole - - we have to actually provide services and products that have 'value added' - and appeal to others - not just another iPod. And it's not good enough - another iPod - cheaper. And those 'others' have to have jobs so they can afford to let us help them.
It's not a 'quick fix'. We need some vision and a 'plan' of what the future looks like. Then we need to work to "make it so" . . .
We are in a 'war'. Every bit as much of a war as WWI or WWII. We have to stop thinking about a 'skirmish' or 'battle' - but beyond. This is where our leaders are failing us.
13 years ago @ KATU - Portland, OR - Bleak U.S. jobs report... · 0 replies · +2 points
It continues to be pointed out ad-nauseum that "Consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of economic activity." To me, when the pundits, econ writers, and politicians spout that 'quote', they are - in effect - blaming us - the consumers - for not getting the economy going.
They 'gloat' over "consumer spending rose at an annual rate of 2.7 percent" in articles like http://www.katu.com/news/business/US-consumer-spe....
Why do they beat the drum for thoughtless statistics?
They say "core prices, which exclude energy and food, are up a modest 1.8 percent over the past year." [Inflation]
Our population grows at an annual rate of 1.27 percent. http://www.susps.org/overview/numbers.html
Just to keep up with the population increase [1.3] and inflation [1.8] you should see an annual rate 3 percent in consumer spending.
They drum on like it is victory when it is really an indicator of ill-health.
We - consumers - are not even keeping up (not counting energy (gas) and food); people are hurting. And they are tapping savings and going into debt.
There is so much dis-information (BS) and ragweed being decorated with daises and petals from the rose garden in an effort to spin the tale 'we are on the mend'. I don't even know if they even know how to be truthful anymore.
13 years ago @ KATU - Portland, OR - Court documents: \'I j... · 1 reply · +3 points
Oh yes . . . I know . . .
For the last decade of 'our marriage' of over 30 years ,I slept 'defensively' . . trying to posture myself against another knife attack. I was constantly belittled . . . didn't make enough, didn't do enough, "I was a horrible father", . . . She saw greener pastures . .. Several of them . ..
I thought about suicide. Even planned how . . . I thought about all kinds of things . . . But I couldn't do any of them . . .
I've been there, and I've had all of those things in front of me. But this is just cold . . .I feared she could have done it to me, but I couldn't have done it to her.
You mention "kids". Unforntunately, I see one of my boys expericencing a like situation. Hope and fear . .. I'm so mixed . . .
Domestic violence knows not gender or strength. And the children only see discord - and learn.
13 years ago @ KATU - Portland, OR - Sales contracts for U.... · 1 reply · +2 points
"Modest sales and rising prices add to other encouraging signs for the housing market . . ."
Say What !! Martin speaks with forked tongue (as usual).
13 years ago @ KATU - Portland, OR - Ferrari driver killed ... · 2 replies · +19 points
Colorblindness: Yes, males get it from their moms, and red-green-brown is the most common and it runs in the family. And of course, we have traffic lights. Red and green. Amber - we can see.
Cars: I have owned a couple of "supercars". I could make the coast in nearly 3/4-to-half the time most others could make it. I loved driving with 'glove response'. 'You 'think it' - it did it. Way - way beyond fast and a 'Vet'.
Then, one day, I had my younger son riding with me, I realized I was out-driving the braking distance - I couldn't stop (rounding a corner) if something was blocking the road . . .
I changed - that day - right then. And - ever since.
Yes, I still love the machines; but I don't push it like that any more. . . Life is too precious.
13 years ago @ KATU - Portland, OR - DNA, name on envelope ... · 0 replies · +8 points
Hummm . .. How about wall board or "other walls" (plaster or cement content) of his cell ???
Thingamajig